Kansas announces $1.1B in highway projects

Eight projects slated for Shawnee Co. over next two years

Kansas Transportation Sec. Mike King on Wednesday announces highway projects planned for the coming fiscal years. The state plans to spend $1.1 billion on 435 projects throuhgout the state, eight of which will be in Shawnee County. King made the announcement on a flatbed truck in a area of Shawnee County that will soon see an expansion of US Highway 24.

Kansas deputy transportation secretary Jerry Younger on Wednesday announces highway projects planned for the coming fiscal years. The state plans to spend $1.1 billion on 435 projects throuhgout the state, eight of which will be in Shawnee County. Younger spoke on a flatbed truck in a area of Shawnee County that will soon see an expansion of US Highway 24.

Kansas Transportation Sec. Mike King on Wednesday announces highway projects planned for the coming fiscal years. The state plans to spend $1.1 billion on 435 projects throuhgout the state, eight of which will be in Shawnee County. King made the announcement on a flatbed truck in a area of Shawnee County that will soon see an expansion of US Highway 24.

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The state will invest nearly $50 million in Shawnee County roads during the next two years, according to a list of Kansas Department of Transportation projects released Wednesday.

The eight county projects — including a $39.8 million expansion of US-24 highway — are among 435 projects scheduled for the 2013-2014 fiscal years. The projects will improve 1,600 miles of Kansas highways and replace or repair 209 bridges. Combined, the projects will cost $1.1 billion.

“Not only are these projects going to make Kansas roads safer, they’re going to make them more efficient,” Transportation Secretary Mike King said during a news conference Wednesday. “This is a wise use of precious dollars, and in this weak but recovering economy, we’ve made the decision to put Kansas on the road to growth.”

The projects will be paid for through the state’s T-WORKS program. The Legislature approved the program in 2010, setting aside $8 billion for the next 10 years for transportation projects. The funding comes from several sources, including the state’s motor fuels tax and federal funds.

In addition to creating jobs for construction workers, King said, the projects will help attract businesses, which will further help the state economy.

The state of the economy creates a perfect climate for highway investment, Jerry Younger, deputy transportation secretary, said during the news conference.

“We couldn’t ask for better pricing than we’re getting right now,” he said.

Although most of the projects will update current infrastructure, Younger said, the state has planned a few “big, sexy” improvements — namely, expansions to major highways.

One such project is the expansion of US-24 to four lanes for about 1.3 miles to Countryside Road. It also will build an interchange at N.W. Menoken Road.

“This will improve the capacity and safety of the US-24 corridor,” Younger said.

The project is expected to cost $39.82 million and be let April 15, 2013.

Another major project, he said, is to build the rest of the South Lawrence Trafficway.

David Howard, president and CEO of Koss Construction, which has been awarded several state construction projects throughout its 100-year history in Kansas, applauded the state’s efforts to plan and communicate projects years in advance. Knowing about projects so far ahead of time, he said, allows him to continue to invest in his work force.

Other projects planned for Shawnee County include:

■ Heavy improvements of 2.53 miles on US-75 highway from the Osage/Shawnee county line north to S.W. Topeka Boulevard. Estimated cost: $2.96 million. Projected let date: March 15, 2013.

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into the future. Brownback may have other plans. He put in the head of a private construction company for his Transportation Secretary. There has been nothing but construction cones on 470 & I - 70 around Topeka since he took office. Never before have I seen repair of a highway take this long. Somebody got a life time job it seems.

Potter you are tired of road construction why not move to Missouri and travel I-70 between Kansas City and St Louis. Terrible roads. Thank God for the good roads. Potter you love to wine and dine. Brownback will be gone soon and than you can have Senator Kelly or Hensley.

And just think how much better the roads would be and how much quicker they would get fixed if the Legislature-Democrats and Republicans alike, and the Governors-Brownback, Parkinson and Sebelius alike- would quit stealing from the Highway Construction funds to fund everything else in their budgets.

Kansas's transportation plan is just our continued trickle down. We have great roads. Probably could save money and still have good roads,but the state does like to spend money. This is not a Brownback issue. It is not a Sebelius issue. Kansas has been like this for 20 years.

We toss money into roads to stimulate things. You can complain about robbing from KDOT but in truth they can do with less and still put our good roads. When the list comes out, look it over and see what those projects are and you decide whether each one is honestly needed now.

and just have to cut back on their projects later. KDOT is holding the carrot in front of the horse and horse's rear end is going to grab it. They do have a private contractor as secretary of transportation though. So they won't need many state employees to do this job. We will just have to put up Topeka style contruction. Two days on the job and five days off.

Now I know why I was handed the lay-off papers signed by King himself! Maybe he will hire me to work for his private company. Glad I can help Sam become President by becoming two stats for him, 1) smaller government and 2) more private company jobs. Oh yeah, the third way may hurt a bit when I have to go on public assistance to feed my family.

I would think this 1.1 billion could be better spent on re-doing our Capital building and Grounds. Maybe buy some red carpet that rolls out when the doors are opened, an electric or nuclear monarail train that runs around the yard dumping off lobbyists. Possiby a Platinum or Titatium Dome built by the same construction crew that has worked on the capital for generations and supported the monarchy and minions.

I agree, People like to Thank God for things he or she had nothing to do with. I agree the people who actually do the work should be thanked. Thank you to all the road workers who made the roads better.

After decimating the engineering corps, no raises for years, retirements, layoffs, selling off eqipment, closing departments we now asking KDOT to perform as usual. Too much to expect. Under the current administration morale has to be at an all time low. Asking more for less only works to a point so it just won't happen like us Kansan's have come to expect. On time and under budget is just not expected by me. If it happens the numbers were fudged to make Brownback look good.

Under the current plan of off shoring to outside contractors (many out of state that are not Secretary King's friends) be prepared for over budget and orange cones for a long time.

Why would they mess with one of the best, if not the best, transportation departments in the country? Kansas state employees are the 48th lowest paid in the country but give us their all. There is always room for improvement but this tampering from this administration is self destruction. In the short term it all looks good for the governor on paper but Kansans will be left with a crumbling infrastructure in four years. Sacraficeing our children’s future for what? So Brownback can be president! How can he live with himself?

I loved the excellent Kansas roads and already see the trend. Kiss them goodby. The cost to get them back to this level will likely be astronomical. Ever play Sim City Mr. King? I shed tears thinking about the future train wreck. Not my vote.

You guys sit on here and cry about all of this. The governor put someone in charge that is not a politician and is fiscally responsible and you people shutter???? That is what is wrong with government today. Look at the jobs that Mr. King cut...... Photographers for KDOT, yep that sounds like something that we needed tax dollars going to! In my business if we are not running efficiently then we cut loose that which is not making us money. If we don't then we go under and nobody has a job anymore. In government we just throw more cash at it and hope and wish it will change. Mr. King is a breath of fresh air in Topeka. I would rather see him in charge and know that the tax dollars I pay are being used right then to have another politician in charge of something they have no clue about.